Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the government will hold a global investors’ meet and traders development summit on November 23 and 24 for attracting investment to the State from across the globe.
The State held ‘Invest Karnataka’ in February 2016 and attracted over ₹4.5 lakh crore investment.
In his address to the State after hoisting the tricolour on the 71st Independence Day celebrations at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here, he said Karnataka has always been in the forefront of industrial sector by attracting investment of ₹1,54,173 crore during 2016. Projects worth ₹17,293 crore have been implemented creating job opportunities for almost 1.6 lakh people.
In the wake of communal tension in coastal Karnataka last month, the Chief Minister said: “Today, we are witnessing the phenomenon of communalism and casteism raising their ugly heads all around, joined by fascist forces. This is a very dangerous development about which all right thinking citizens are concerned.”
Religion is a personal matter and it is “sacrilegious” to derive political benefit by sowing seeds of hatred among people, communities and sects, he said, adding that time is ripe for “annihilation of divisive forces”.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the “Karnataka model of development” was inspired by poet-philosopher-reformer Basavanna, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He said: “Our government firmly believes that economic freedom along with political freedom to the poor is the best way to celebrate Independence Day, meaningfully.”
